October Fest is Friday

October 25, 2012

The 25th Annual Barbour County Emergency Squad, Inc. October Fest Celebration has been set for from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Friday and starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The celebration will take place at the emergency squad building, located on Route 250 in Philippi. This event, which is the squad's second largest fundraising project of the year, is designed to provide loads of fun for all ages, officials said.

On Friday the kitchen will open at 5 p.m. Early registration for the Hot Dog Eating Contest will also begin at 5 p.m.

The popular Hot Dog Eating Contest will begin at 7:30 p.m. The contestant eating the most hot dogs, with bun, in three minutes will receive a $100 cash prize. There is no entry fee for this contest. The evening will close with a cake walk that is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the kitchen will open at 11 a.m. At noon, the Little Mr. & Miss EMS Pageant will take place. Two girls and two boys are running in this year's contest.

Back by popular demand, a karaoke contest will be held on stage at 2 p.m. Karaoke contestants can register for the contest beginning at 1 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three performers. There is no entry fee for this contest. Karaoke services will be furnished by Five Star Karaoke of Belington. The contest is sponsored by the Used Car Company of Philippi.

A cake social will begin at 5 p.m. The winners of the Baby Photo Contest will be announced on stage at 6:45 p.m. The Annual Celebrity Auction which is slated to begin at 7 p.m. The auction will feature more than 50 items from local, state and national celebrities. Auction items have been received from the West Virginia University football team, Ryan Newman, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Charlie Daniels, Alan Jackson, the WVU women's basketball team, the Pittsburgh Zoo, Jimbo Fisher, Kenny Wallace, the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders, John Travolta, Dolly Parton, Bob Barker, Darrell and Brandon Sheets from "Storage Wars", the Dallas Cowboys, Martina McBride and from many more celebrities. Other items that will be auctioned off include donations from local businesses. Auction services are once again being furnished by Larry Seckman and crew.

Many other events are planned throughout the festival, including hourly door prizes, a silent basket auction, a guess jar, guess cake, guess pumpkin, baby photo contest and free blood pressure/blood glucose checks. Tickets will be sold for a giant basket full of WVU items. Hot dog platters will be available both days and will feature the famous "Linda Triplett" hot dog chili. Homemade pineapple upside down cake will also be served. All children attending will receive a free treat bag.

All proceeds from this event will be placed in the emergency squad's New Ambulance Fund. The squad invites the public to attend and enjoy the festivities. For information about the October Fest, please contact Robert G. Jones, director, at 304-457-2037.